I work in Switzerland and have exactly the same limits (15, 35 and 40 CHF), also for tax reasons. This is to avoid companies paying their employees peanuts while topping up their income with tax-free perks. Understandable.

Due to the financial downturn I believe most companies have cut back. I now get $65 USD across USA (NY is $120), $120 London/HK. It is a daily limit but anything over $20 has to be itimized.

Interesting, my company does not have any limits. On longer trips they even pay for days out on the weekend, I guess they just want to keep us happy so that we don't complain too much about being sent to crazy destinations every two weeks

I know people who get a daily budget, but to really split it between breakfast, lunch and dinner must be hard. Most hotel breakfasts cost more than 15 CHF, if you want something more substantial than coffee & gipfeli. Definately something to check before taking on a new job with frequent travel.

This is only valid if you are getting a lump-sum. Then of course the tax authorities wants to make sure you don't get a hidden salary component as expense.

However, if you can confirm with a reciept that you have actually had the expense, then there is very little chance that the tax authorities will look at it as salary component. Unless the amount your receive is unproportionally high. Then you may risk a review but even then, if you have your receipts in order, your chances are good to have no issues.

The fact that the companies wants to limit expenses is a different matter and at their discretion of course.

we have the same limits in my company but the expense reports with bigger resto bills are still being approved... maybe that's the case in your company too? try asking around